Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

Emotional eating is quite common in the elderly as they turn to the comforts of food when experiencing stress, disappointment, or loneliness. When seniors want to calm their nerves, it is easy for them to grab a packet of chips instead of an apple. It is important for them to understand that it is a temporary fix. Foods such as chips, cakes, biscuits, and ice cream are designed to have a special combination of sugar, fat, and salt in them to make one feel good temporarily. Also, they are addictive in nature – which means when seniors are faced with stressful situations, they turn to these foods and can get stuck in a loop. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we share a few insights on how emotional eating can be stopped: 1. Understand the signs of emotional eating: Everyone eats for reasons other than hunger once in a while. However, the first step seniors can take to stop emotional eating is to recognise the problem. Here are some common signs of emotional eating:  Change in eating habits during stressful periods  Eating despite feeling full  Constantly looking for snacks even when not hungry Eating when feeling bored  Eating to feel good 2. Identify emotional eating triggers:  There are several reasons why seniors develop an unhealthy relationship with food. To figure out what triggers emotional eating, seniors can keep a food journal. Writing down when and what they eat can help seniors identify their eating patterns.  3. Change response to triggers:  Once identifying the emotional eating triggers, seniors can change the way they respond to them. Instead of reaching out for comfort food, seniors can:  Take a short walk. Take time to think about their feelings. Are they really hungry? Or is it anxiety or a stressful situation that is bothering them?  Use the opportunity to pen down their thoughts. This may help them gain a new perspective about the problem they are facing.  Join a hobby class to avoid overthinking.  Call a friend and catch up with him or her.  Have a healthy snack instead of salt-laden chips or carbonated drinks. 4. Talk to a counsellor:  Taking help from experts can help seniors understand their emotions and eating habits. A counsellor along with a nutritionist can help come up with a diet plan that is healthy and sustainable in the long run.  Know more about senior living in India – explore our retirement communities  Our retirement homes in India are designed to promote positive ageing. Our residents are encouraged to follow new passions and make new friends through different community activities. We offer an extensive range of services to ensure that our residents enjoy a fulfilled and a worry-free retirement life. To know more about our senior living communities, call us at +91 8884555554.

When it comes to protection from the sun’s harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays, most seniors are quick to grab a hat and a sunscreen lotion. However, they often forget about sunglasses. Most people choose a pair of sunglasses based on how great they look on them. However, in addition to being a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect the eyes from the UV rays.    As one of the leading senior retirement homes in Chennai, we share a few useful insights on sunglasses and senior eye health:    Why is sun protection important? When the eyes are unprotected and exposed to UV radiation, seniors are at a risk of developing photokeratitis, known as the “sunburn of the eye.” In some cases, photokeratitis can be painful and cause a gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing. Long-term exposure to UV radiation without proper protection can increase the risk of eye diseases such as cataract, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer. Sunglasses can block UV radiation: Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA has a longer wavelength and is linked with skin ageing. UVB has a shorter wavelength and is linked with skin burning. When it comes to sunglasses, there are many kinds of options, and it can be quite overwhelming for seniors to know which one to choose. Asking an optometrist for advice is the best way seniors can choose the right sunglasses. The frame of the sunglasses matter: Most people go for a pair of sunglasses that look good on them. But for maximum sun protection, the frame of the sunglasses should be such that they fit close to the eyes and prevent exposure to UV rays from all sides. Opt for anti-glare sunglasses: Anti-glare sunglasses not only offer protection from the sun but also make driving and spending time on beaches safer. Wear sunglasses along with UV contact lenses: Certain contact lenses come with UV-absorbing properties. However, sunglasses are still recommended for maximum protection.   Looking for retirement homes in Chennai, India?   Living in one of our senior retirement homes in Chennai lets our residents enjoy a worry-free lifestyle. At our retirement homes in Chennai, we have a well-experienced team of in-house staff to take care of housekeeping, laundry, and preventive maintenance for electrical and plumbing work. The F&B team ensures that the food served is hygienically prepared and as per the nutritional needs of our residents. To know more about our retirement homes in Chennai, call us at +91 8884555554.

It is natural for seniors to feel tired now and then. However, if they have been feeling tired for weeks, they may be suffering from fatigue. Fatigue is a kind of deep exhaustion that adversely affects a person’s ability to perform daily life functions. Understanding fatigue, its symptoms and causes can help seniors take steps to address the issue. As one of the leading retirement communities in Bangalore, we share with you information on fatigue and when seniors should see a doctor:  1. Fatigue is more than just feeling tired: Fatigue is profound exhaustion that interferes with daily activities. There are different types of fatigue such as:  Transient fatigue: This kind of fatigue lasts over a few days. Transient fatigue is temporary as it is often brought upon by stressful situations such as moving to a new place, preparing for an event or relationship issues.  Cumulative fatigue: Chronic conditions and ongoing circumstances cause this type of fatigue. Circadian fatigue: This type often results from disruption in the circadian rhythm which is also known as the body’s biological clock. When seniors do not get adequate amount of sleep, they tend to feel tired and experience a dip in alertness. 2. Signs of fatigue: Fatigue can cause a wide range of symptoms. When seniors have an existing illness, diagnosis of fatigue can be difficult. Here are some of the symptoms of fatigue:  Lack of motivation Sore muscles Headache Gastrointestinal problems  Sleepiness  Irritability Poor concentration 3. Ailments that can cause fatigue: There are many health conditions that may cause fatigue in seniors. Here are a few of the common conditions that cause fatigue in seniors: Anaemia Anxiety Concussion Cancer Depression Diabetes Heart diseases  Obesity Pneumonia Stress 4. When to see a doctor: Seniors should consult a medical professional if they notice signs of extreme exhaustion or disorientation for over two weeks. A medical professional can help understand what is causing fatigue and what can be done to address the problem.  5. Treatment for fatigue: If the fatigue is related to a health condition, treatment for the condition may improve energy levels. The doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes if that is contributing to fatigue.   Looking for retirement homes in Whitefield, Bangalore?  Explore The Virtuoso, Budigere Cross, Bangalore, India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards. The community is ideal for seniors seeking serenity amidst city life. We offer an array of unmatched senior-friendly amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, rooftop barbeque area, multi-purpose hall, and a business centre. To know more about our senior living community in Bangalore, book a virtual tour. You can also call us at +91 8884555554.

It is not always easy to find the perfect gifts for seniors as they have accumulated so many things over the years. Rather than gifting the seniors in your life yet another showpiece that will sit on the shelf, give them gifts that will make their lives easier, healthier, and happier. Whether you are looking for a birthday, holiday, or retirement gift, here are a few gift ideas that are likely to promote health and happiness in seniors:  Preloaded music player: With CDs and cassettes becoming passe, seniors often struggle to keep up with the modern technology and devices. There are many preloaded music players available in the market that are easy to operate. Setting up the player is a one-time process and once that is done, seniors can enjoy the pre-loaded songs. You can also check this informative read on how music benefits seniors emotionally as well as physically.  Wearable medical alert and fall detection system: If your loved one lives alone, a wearable medical alert and fall detection system can be a thoughtful gift. Wearable devices equipped with motion sensors can detect falls. Also, some devices come with a call button that seniors can press to immediately seek medical help, Digital photo frames: For many seniors, there is nothing like going through family photos and reliving the happier times. A digital photo frame helps seniors feel connected with their special moments from the past.  Meal delivery service: Eating nutritious food is important for seniors to maintain good health. However, many seniors struggle to cook. To help them enjoy delicious and healthy home-cooked meals, you can subscribe to meal delivery services on their behalf. You can find many online catering services that offer healthy meals that meet the nutritional needs of the seniors.  Activity boxes: There are many activity boxes that are designed for adults and include colouring books, puzzles, and word search books. Here is a list of creative activities that help seniors cope with stress and find their purpose in life again.  Senior community living in Bangalore – where positive ageing is the focus.   If you are looking for vibrant retirement communities for your parents or loved ones, explore our senior citizen retirement homes in Bangalore. To know more about life at The Virtuoso, Budigere Cross, Bangalore, India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour. 

A good night’s sleep is important for the physical and mental well-being of seniors. Though experts recommend eight hours of sleep at night, many seniors fail to get it. When not addressed timely, sleep problems can put seniors at risk of serious medical conditions, including diabetes and heart diseases. Sleep disorder in seniors has also been associated with depression. Sleep deprivation affects mood and those suffering from depression often find it hard to sleep. It is a vicious cycle. As one of the leading senior living communities in India, we have curated useful insights on how sleep affects depression: 1. Poor quality sleep increases the risk of depression: A person’s mood heavily depends on how well he or she sleeps each night. While not getting sleep before some important events is natural, inadequate sleep that spans over weeks or months spells trouble for one’s mental well-being. It has been found that even mildly insufficient sleep is linked to an increased risk for depression and anxiety 2. Sleep apnea and depression: Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes one to stop breathing during sleep. It causes insomnia, fatigue, and headaches that can affect daily life. According to a study, untreated sleep apnea can cause people to suffer from depression. Depression and sleep apnea have similar symptoms such as: Fatigue  Too much sleepiness in the daytime  Irritability Difficulty focusing Headaches Poor sleep quality 3. Insomnia and sleep: According to a study, people with chronic insomnia are at an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression. Though the relationship between sleep and depression is quite complex, seniors can benefit from following a healthy lifestyle that includes good sleep habits. Here are some healthy lifestyle changes that can promote better mental well-being and good sleep: Stick to a sleep routine: Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time can help the body follow a schedule. Sticking to a schedule can help the body prepare itself for sleep. Here is an insightful read on improving sleep hygiene.  Practise relaxation techniques: It can be difficult to sleep when the mind is not calm. Breathing exercises for relaxation, a warm bath, meditating, reading, and journaling positive thoughts are a great way to unwind before the end of the day. These activities help prepare the body for a restful night’s sleep. Note: If seniors suspect that sleep disorder is causing anxiety or depression, they must consult a medical expert. If diagnosed with sleep disorder, treatment must be sought without delay.    As one of the premium retirement homes in India, our priority is the overall well-being of our residents. In addition to conducting regular health checkups, we offer our residents a myriad of opportunities to stay physically and socially active. Our social calendar includes a wide variety of activities such as yoga, aerobics, and dance classes that keep our residents physically active and mentally engaged in a productive and healthy way. To know about our retirement homes in India and services we offer, call us at +91 8884555554.

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.”  — Henry David Thoreau, American author and philosopher    By introducing creative activities into daily routine, seniors can improve their overall well-being and keep alive their sense of purpose. There are many activities that can help seniors channel their creative power into everyday life moments. As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we share a few creative outlets that can help seniors get started:  Art and crafts: There is nothing like the joy of creating tangible objects with the use of hands and imagination. Painting, colouring, origami, pottery, and jewellery making are some of the activities that seniors can take part in. These activities can be done in groups or solo. At our retirement homes in Bangalore, residents take part in different creative activities and the best artwork often makes it to our monthly journals.  Gardening: Seeing the beautiful colours in blooms, smelling flowers and herbs, and listening to the chirping birds are some of the perks of pursuing gardening as a hobby. Seniors can find creative expression through digging and preparing the soil, planting saplings, and tending plants.  Writing: Writing encourages seniors to think of new perspectives. Also, seniors can try their hand at creative writing through imaginative stories and descriptive language.  Music: A traditional hobby, music is a great creative outlet that allows seniors to express themselves. Whether it is singing, playing a song on guitar or drumming, music in all its forms is intrinsically fulfilling. Seniors who love music can join a music class or group where they can learn and practise with like-minded people.     Want to spend your retirement life pursuing creative activities? Check out our retirement homes in Bangalore At our senior living homes in Bangalore, we promote activities that help our residents focus on their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. From housekeeping and daily chores to maintenance work, everything is taken care of by our experienced in-house staff. This helps our residents enjoy a worry-free retirement life with freedom to focus on things that they enjoy the most. To know more about our senior living homes in Bangalore, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour.

The brain is in charge of your body. Therefore, it is important to eat food that not only promotes your physical well-being but also improves your brain health. As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we share a few useful insights on foods that are good for the brain:    Walnuts: They are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols that can counteract oxidative stress and inflammation, two drivers of cognitive decline.  Spinach: Packed with antioxidants like vitamin A, lutein, and carotene, spinach, and other dark, leafy greens are good for brain health. Antioxidants help delay ageing-related brain decline and maintain cognitive functions.  Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper –  all these nutrients are essential for brain health. The antioxidants present in the pumpkin seeds protect the body and brain from free radical damage.  Dark chocolate: Flavonoids, found in cocoa and chocolate, are considered to be good for the brain. A study showed that eating high-flavanol cocoa improved blood flow to the brain. Note: This holds true only for dark chocolates with a 70 percent or more cocoa content and not milk chocolate that contains only 10 to 15 percent cocoa.  Blueberries: According to a study, blueberries can protect the brain from oxidative stress, prevent age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and improve motor and cognitive functions. Another study suggests that the neuroprotective properties of blueberries can improve memory in older adults at risk of dementia.  In addition to following a brain-healthy diet, it is important to lead a physically active lifestyle. Regular exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps in preventing age-related cognitive decline. At our retirement homes in Bangalore, you will find cafes serving delicious and nutritious meals and beverages to our residents. Our residents can jog in the well-maintained community garden or swim at our rooftop swimming pool or engage in a match of table tennis in the indoor games room. To know more about our senior homes in Bangalore, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour.

For seniors who love cooking and spending time in the kitchen, here is a useful read on making the space more accessible and senior friendly. As one of the leading senior living communities in Bangalore, we have curated a list of simple and easy ways to transform a kitchen into a comfortable and safe space for seniors.   1. Fire safety: Kitchen fire is among the leading causes of home fires and, therefore, it is important to take steps to minimise the risk.  Here are some fire safety measures:  Keep the cooktop away from flammable items such as oil, dish towels, curtains and plastic utensils Seniors should not wear loose clothes while cooking Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in the kitchen Exhaust fans and vents must be regularly checked and cleaned Senior-friendly fire extinguishers should be placed in easily accessible locations Buy senior-friendly appliances that come with built-in alarm systems.    2. Fall prevention: Falls are among the leading causes of injuries in seniors. They can result in minor scrapes to hip fractures. Here are a few ways to prevent falls in the kitchen:  Ensure adequate lighting in the kitchen Add non-slip mats near the sink Seniors should wear shoes with non-slip soles while working in the kitchen Spills must be wiped as quickly as possible Leaky taps or appliances must be fixed Install grab bars at different places in the kitchen   3. Organise and declutter the kitchen: The more organised the kitchen is, the safer it is for seniors to use.  Ensure countertops are not cluttered Knives and other sharp objects must be stored carefully Frequently used tools, ingredients, and appliances should be easily accessible Use low storage spaces to keep important items Make sure that the pantry handles open easily Label everything   Senior living in Bangalore: Check our independent senior living apartments At our senior living communities in Bangalore, we offer services and amenities designed to help seniors enjoy their golden years comfortably and safely. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 88845 55554.

Tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches are some of the common headaches that seniors experience. These headaches are often accompanied by symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound; nausea, and pain in the temples. However, headaches in older adults can often lead to far more serious consequences and, therefore, it is important that seniors know how to manage them. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, we share some useful tips for seniors to manage headaches:    Maintain a headache journal: Seniors experiencing frequent headaches must maintain a journal and note down the frequency, duration, and severity of the headaches. Maintaining a journal will help seniors track possible triggers. Eating certain foods, stress, alcohol intake, or lack of sleep are some factors that can trigger frequent headaches.  Identify triggers: Instead of self-diagnosing the problem, seek a doctor’s help. Reviewing the journal with a doctor can help provide clues about what might be triggering the headaches.  Monitor the symptoms: Seniors must remember that headaches are often hard to diagnose. Monitoring the early symptoms can be helpful to seek timely medical assistance.  Follow the treatment plan: Managing headaches may require medication, lifestyle changes, or both. Seniors must follow the doctor’s recommendations. From taking medication on time to ensuring that they are getting enough rest and fluids, seniors can manage triggers and reduce, if not completely avoid, severe headaches.  Maintain a healthy routine: When it comes to managing headaches, sleep and diet also play an important role. Seniors must follow a good sleeping routine – they should avoid screen time before bed and sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Regular mealtimes can help keep headaches, especially migraines, at bay.  Some seniors also find having smaller, more frequent meals better for managing headaches.  Exercise regularly:  Seniors suffering from regular headaches must do some form of exercise, be it yoga, aerobics, or jogging. It has been found that exercise can help people manage migraines. As regular exercise can help regulate one’s sleeping and eating routines, it can be an important factor in managing headaches.    Choose a senior citizen home where you can focus on your well-being  Our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore are designed to ensure the overall well-being of our residents. The day starts with yoga, meditation sessions, and breathing exercises. Also, there are ample opportunities for our residents to unwind and relax. To book a tour of these senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, call us at +91 88845 55554. You can check the list of senior citizen homes in Coimbatore here.

Valentine’s Day is not just for couples – it is for everyone to celebrate. For seniors, it is the perfect day to show love and affection to their spouses, family, and friends. We have rounded up a few fantastic Valentine’s Day ideas for seniors that are sure to fill their hearts with love and joy:   Celebrate with good food: Whether you are celebrating with your spouse or your family, cooking a heart-warming meal is a great way to get the celebration started. If you find cooking tiresome, take your loved ones on a gastronomic journey at your favourite restaurant. Kick off a movie marathon: Pick out your favourite movies that you know your spouse or your family would like, and have a movie marathon. Include classics such as Casablanca, When Harry Met Sally, Mughal-e-Azam, or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Do not forget the popcorn to make the movie-watching experience extravagant. Make it a self-care evening: For some seniors, Valentine’s Day can be a perfect day for self- care. Meditation is a great way to start Valentine’s Day on a positive note. Seniors can take some quiet time to reflect and meditate in the morning. Arrange an at-home spa experience and complete it with candles and calming music. Follow it up with an extravagant dinner. Indulge in hobbies: Pursuing a hobby can give seniors immense pleasure and can make Valentine’s Day extra special. From creating heart-shaped wall hangings, beautiful cardboard photo frames, and knitting heart patterns to baking heart-shaped cakes, there are many hobbies that help seniors and their loved ones enjoy the day thoroughly. Love knows no age at our senior living homes in Chennai We, at Serene Adinath and Serene Pushkar by Columbia Pacific, celebrate love in all its myriad forms and glory. Valentine’s Day at our senior living homes in Chennai is filled with fun and joy. We organise different group activities and contests where residents get opportunities to express themselves through photos, sketches, painting, and writing. To know more about our senior living homes, call us at +91 8884555554.